Knitting & the Bible

Knitting has such a rich history, and I thought it would be interesting to search out references to knitting or fibers in the Bible. These are by all means not exhaustive, but they are some of my favorites. A search on Bible Gateway made it fairly simple to search multiple translations and paraphrases – please note that your favorite translation may not use the word knit as it is used in other translations. In any event, I believe the fact that we are knitters may give us some additional insight into these words from the Lord. Blessings!

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Job 10:8-11 (NIV)

8 “Your hands shaped me and made me.
Will you now turn and destroy me?
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.
Will you now turn me to dust again?
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
and curdle me like cheese,
11 clothe me with skin and flesh
and knit me together with bones and sinews?

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)

12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

1 Samuel 18:1 (NASB)

1Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself.

Colossians 2:2-3 (NASB)

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Ephesians 4:16 (New King James Version)

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Lamentations 1:14 (NASB)

14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound;
By His hand they are knit together
They have come upon my neck;
He has made my strength fail
The Lord has given me into the hands
Of those against whom I am not able to stand.

Proverbs 27:23-27 (MSG)

23-27 Know your sheep by name;
carefully attend to your flocks;
(Don’t take them for granted;
possessions don’t last forever, you know.)
And then, when the crops are in
and the harvest is stored in the barns,You can knit sweaters from lambs’ wool,
and sell your goats for a profit;
There will be plenty of milk and meat
to last your family through the winter.

Romans 14:10-12 (MSG)

10-12 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: “As I live and breathe,” God says,
“every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God.”So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

I’ve never been a fan of paraphrases of the Bible, but I have to say, I love The Message’s take on the following!

Proverbs 31:10-13 (MSG)

10-13 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.

Acts 10:11 (KJV)

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: